Norris Leads Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice
Lando Norris has outscored Oscar Piastri at each of the previous five race weekends.
The McLaren driver edged out team-mate and championship contender Oscar Piastri for the quickest lap in the final moments of practice at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The British racer, who seized the championship lead from Piastri by one point after his victory in the Mexican Grand Prix two weeks ago, beat the Australian by a mere 0.023s.
Until that point, Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair during the running before sprint qualifying set to begin at 18:30 GMT.
Max Verstappen, the only other driver in realistic title contention, sitting 36 points Norris, was classified in 17th position as his Red Bull team ran a unique setup.
His teammate Yuki Tsunoda was the only driver to crash, though minor, when he lost control at Turn Four during the early running.
Tsunoda lost control over the track edges before sliding over the run-off area, and was fortunate to escape with just a slight brush of the fence.
Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton also spun, at the conclusion of the practice, rotating twice through the fast downhill Mergulho turn leading to the last turn on to the pit straight.
Hamilton wrapped up in 19th place, just behind teammate the Monegasque driver.
The McLaren drivers were far ahead of the other competitors, with the German's Sauber third fastest, 0.619secs off Piastri's pace.
The Aston Martin of the Spanish driver was fourth fastest, with Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto in front of the Mercedes of Russell and Alpine's Gasly and Williams' Sainz.
